LEADERS OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE
SPACE EFFORTS TO SPEAK AT THE 2005 INTERNATIONAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE

Rutan and Steidle to open
conference

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2005 - The National Space Society today
announced an impressive roster of public and private spaceflight
pioneers, including the leader of NASA's new exploration efforts as
well as the designer of SpaceShipOne, as confirmed speakers for the
2005 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) to be held
May 19-22 in Washington, DC.

"We are honored to bring together so many of the trailblazers in
space exploration, science, technology and commerce," said George
Whitesides, NSS Executive Director. "Whether part of NASA's
exploration initiatives or innovative private space enterprises,
these are the people writing the history of our times. Their
efforts benefit life on Earth while building the foundation for a
spacefaring civilization."

Rear Adm. Craig E. Steidle, USN (Ret.), NASA's Associate
Administrator for Exploration Systems, heads the list of ISDC
speakers from government space efforts. Representing the leaders of
missions to the Moon, Mars, Saturn, and beyond, these speakers will
showcase the latest news from the frontiers of exploration. Other
confirmed speakers include:

Burt Rutan, president of Scaled Composites and designer of the
Ansari X Prize-winning SpaceShipOne, will open the conference,
leading the new breed of entrepreneurs and engineers who are
building the private world of space. Joining Rutan will be the
leaders of many of the most exciting new ventures in space today.
Confirmed speakers also include:

Dr. Roger Launius, Chair, Division of Space History, National
Air and Space Museum

The 2005 ISDC events, driven by the theme "Your Ticket to
Space," will examine how advances in commercial and government
space efforts are enabling citizens to participate and engage in
space in unprecedented ways. These advances benefit life on Earth
and lead the way toward a spacefaring civilization. The conference
will take place May 19-22, 2005, at the Sheraton National Hotel in
Arlington, Virginia. More information about the conference,
including online registration, hotel information, and a call for
papers, is available on the conference Web site at http://isdc.nss.org/2005/.

###

About NSS
The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, grassroots
organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring
civilization. Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the
preeminent citizen's voice on space. NSS counts thousands of
members and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the
world. The society also publishes Ad Astra magazine, an
award-winning periodical chronicling the most important
developments in space. For more information about NSS, how to join
or donate, visit http://www.nss.org.